Kenyan Premier League will be back in action on Friday after three months of break. Fans are set to enjoy the dazzling moments of the weekends yet again as we usher in the new season.
Interestingly, a showdown between Sofapaka and Posta Rangers at Narok County Stadium will open the tournament. It will be a match of bitter sides, who both ended last season with much pain.
Batoto ba Mungu were denied a chance to finish as the runners-up after being surpassed in the last minutes by Bandari FC. Posta Rangers, on the other hand, had to face Nairobi Stima in relegation/promotion play-offs to maintain their KPL status.
As we get into the new season, the two clubs have made good use of the transfer period and brought in new players to revamp their last season’s sloppy squads
Sofapaka have signed five new players in; goalkeeper Jimmy Kanakulya from Bright Stars, midfielder Mohammed Kasirye from Paidha Black Angels, Allan Katwe from Nkumba University, striker Peter Lwasa from URA FC, and defender Musa Malunda from Bul FC.
They add on to the locals Cersidy Okeyo (Gor Mahia), Brian Nyakan, Timonah Wanyonyi (Mount Kenya United) and Philip Muchuma (Chemelil Sugar).
However, the Sam Timbe-led side lost key players such as Umaru Kasumba who moved to Zesco United of Zambia and Dennis Odhiambo who decamped to KCB FC.
The Mailmen, on their part, released eight players in July and have brought in ten so far. The players released were; Herit Mungai and Francis Manoah and Ugandan keeper Martin Lule who joined the club in March.
Other dropped players were John Nairuka, Dennis Ongeri, Bernard Arum, John Nairuka, and Eliud Emase.
Among the 10 signed players include former Gor Mahia striker Eliud Lukowam and Andrew Wanjala from Sunrise FC. Others are Byrne Omondi, Jairus Adira, Michael Apudo, Jackson Dwang, Michael Luvutsi, Cain Okeyo, Bill George, Dinkem Mwema.
In their head to head matches, Sofapaka and Posta Rangers have met 15 times with Batoto ba Mungu winning 8 times and drawing twice while the Mailmen winning only 5 times.
My possible bet for the match would be both teams scoring with over 2.5 goals.